The Lebanese daily Al-Mustaqbal has published an article quoting political elements as saying that apparently the escalation that Hizbullah is threatening to carry out in the near future will not be in Beirut but in the south of the country, in the form of harassment of UNIFIL. The sources said that the opposition leaders, including Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and his deputy Na'im Qasim, had already raised doubts about the roles being played by UNIFIL, and Hizbullah had recently begun to say that they were exceeding their designated function. The article said that Hizbullah forces were closely monitoring UNIFIL to learn about their scope, location, and logistical activity; the information gleaned is to be used as incitement or as preparation for activity.

The sources predicted that in the coming days, the campaign of raising doubts about UNIFIL would be stepped up, and by Hizbullah's political allies as well, in advance of striking them on the ground.

Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Lebanon, January 18, 2007